My AshtangaPrimary Series

An illustration of Sirsasana, Headstand, from the Ashtanga Primary Series.

Sirsasana

Headstand

Sanskrit
Sirsasana
English
Headstand
Sequence
Closing · step 117 of 124
Held for
25 breaths
Drishti
Nasagrai, tip of nose

Getting into Sirsasana

Kneel and interlace your fingers on the floor, placing the crown of your head down just in front of your interlaced hands so the back of your head rests against your hands. Walk your feet in toward your head, lifting your hips up, then engage your core and float your legs up overhead one at a time or together, balancing your weight on your forearms rather than your neck.

What a teacher would tell you

  • Don't fall.
  • Lift up through the legs.
  • Keep the core strong.

These are the corrections My Ashtanga speaks aloud while you hold the posture.